Vintage pattern · 1953 · thread crochet pot holder made of eight hexagons

Lantern Pot Holder

Free crochet pattern with chart

A pot holder shaped like a paper lantern, from a 1953 booklet of things to make for fairs and bazaars. It is eight small hexagons in yellow and green, each with a popcorn center and a ring of popcorns. Six are joined side to side into a ring and one closes each end. This page checks the hexagon, round by round, and gives the joining as a note.

Thread: Crochet cottongreen and light yellow
Hook: 1.65 mm steelNo. 7 in 1953
Finished: 8 hexagons6 rounds each

Every count checked by KrowsheaNo errors in the 1953 original. Modern US and UK terms, and a chart drawn from the counts.

Color photo of two crocheted pot holders made of joined hexagons in pale green and yellow, one standing up like a lantern with a hanging ring and one lying flat — **1953** · The Lantern Potholder, as photographed for the 1953 booklet.

Chart

Lantern Pot Holder crochet chart

Right-handedLeft-handed

Crochet symbol chart of Lantern Pot Holder, drawn by Krowshea

The same chart drawn left-handed, mirrored

Reading this chart

Start at the center and read each round counterclockwise, the way a right-handed crocheter works.
Start at the center and read each round clockwise, the way a left-handed crocheter works.
Each round begins at its green mark, its first stitch or chain; its number is printed beside it. Rounds alternate dark and blue so they read apart.
The key under the chart names every symbol. Symbols follow the Craft Yarn Council chart standard.

Drawn by Krowshea from the checked counts, not traced from the original. New to charts? How to read crochet charts.

Written pattern

Round by round

US termsUK terms

Written in US crochet terms

Hexagon

1
yellow Ch 8, join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as a dc), 19 dc in ring, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
20 dc
2
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same st, [5-dc popcorn in next st, 2 dc in next st] 9 times, 5-dc popcorn in next st, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
20 dc, 10 popcorns
3
green Join green, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same st, dc in next dc, dc in next popcorn, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next popcorn, dc in each of next 2 dc, dc in next popcorn, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next popcorn, dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next popcorn, ch 2, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, dc in next popcorn, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next popcorn, dc in each of next 2 dc, dc in next popcorn, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next popcorn, dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next popcorn, ch 2, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
42 dc, 6 sps
4
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same st, dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc, [ch 2, 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc] 5 times, ch 2, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
54 dc, 6 sps
5
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same st, *5-dc popcorn in next st, [dc in next st, 5-dc popcorn in next st] 3 times, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next dc; rep from * 4 more times, 5-dc popcorn in next st, [dc in next st, 5-dc popcorn in next st] 3 times, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
42 dc, 24 popcorns, 6 sps
6
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same st, *[dc in next dc, dc in next popcorn] 4 times, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next dc; rep from * 4 more times, [dc in next dc, dc in next popcorn] 4 times, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off. To join: hold 2 hexagons with wrong sides together. Attach yellow in a ch-2 corner through both, then work through the back loops only and through both hexagons: 1 sl st in each of the next 13 dc, 1 sl st in each of the 2 corner chains, 1 sl st in each of the next 13 dc. Cut the thread. Join 6 hexagons side to side this way into a ring, leaving one side of 13 dc free at the top and one at the bottom of each. Fit a hexagon into the top opening and slip stitch it in, side to side, then the last hexagon into the bottom opening. Ring: with yellow ch 23, sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch to the end, and sew it to the top. The joining is not part of the checked pattern.
78 dc, 6 sps
Make 8 hexagons in all.

Written in UK crochet terms

Hexagon

1
yellow Ch 8, join with a ss to the first ch to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as a tr), 19 tr in ring, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
20 tr
2
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same st, [5-tr popcorn in next st, 2 tr in next st] 9 times, 5-tr popcorn in next st, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
20 tr, 10 popcorns
3
green Join green, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same st, tr in next tr, tr in next popcorn, tr in next tr, 2 tr in next tr, ch 2, 2 tr in next popcorn, tr in each of next 2 tr, tr in next popcorn, 2 tr in next tr, ch 2, 2 tr in next tr, tr in next popcorn, tr in each of next 2 tr, 2 tr in next popcorn, ch 2, 2 tr in next tr, tr in next tr, tr in next popcorn, tr in next tr, 2 tr in next tr, ch 2, 2 tr in next popcorn, tr in each of next 2 tr, tr in next popcorn, 2 tr in next tr, ch 2, 2 tr in next tr, tr in next popcorn, tr in each of next 2 tr, 2 tr in next popcorn, ch 2, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
42 tr, 6 sps
4
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same st, tr in each of next 5 tr, 2 tr in next tr, [ch 2, 2 tr in next tr, tr in each of next 5 tr, 2 tr in next tr] 5 times, ch 2, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
54 tr, 6 sps
5
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same st, *5-tr popcorn in next st, [tr in next st, 5-tr popcorn in next st] 3 times, 2 tr in next tr, ch 2, 2 tr in next tr; rep from * 4 more times, 5-tr popcorn in next st, [tr in next st, 5-tr popcorn in next st] 3 times, 2 tr in next tr, ch 2, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
42 tr, 24 popcorns, 6 sps
6
yellow Join yellow, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same st, *[tr in next tr, tr in next popcorn] 4 times, tr in next tr, 2 tr in next tr, ch 2, 2 tr in next tr; rep from * 4 more times, [tr in next tr, tr in next popcorn] 4 times, tr in next tr, 2 tr in next tr, ch 2, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off. To join: hold 2 hexagons with wrong sides together. Attach yellow in a ch-2 corner through both, then work through the back loops only and through both hexagons: 1 ss in each of the next 13 tr, 1 ss in each of the 2 corner chains, 1 ss in each of the next 13 tr. Cut the thread. Join 6 hexagons side to side this way into a ring, leaving one side of 13 tr free at the top and one at the bottom of each. Fit a hexagon into the top opening and slip stitch it in, side to side, then the last hexagon into the bottom opening. Ring: with yellow ch 23, ss in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch to the end, and sew it to the top. The joining is not part of the checked pattern.
78 tr, 6 sps
Make 8 hexagons in all.

Special stitches

5-dc popcorn: Work 5 dc in the st. Take the hook out of the working loop, insert it from front to back under the top of the first dc of the group, pick up the dropped loop and draw it through, closing the group into a cup that pops forward.

Abbreviations (US)

ch chaindc double crochetrep repeatsl st slip stitchsp(s) space(s)st(s) stitch(es)

Special stitches

5-tr popcorn: Work 5 tr in the st. Take the hook out of the working loop, insert it from front to back under the top of the first tr of the group, pick up the dropped loop and draw it through, closing the group into a cup that pops forward.

Abbreviations (UK)

ch chainrep repeatsp(s) space(s)ss slip stitchst(s) stitch(es)tr treble

Materials

Thread, 1953: Crochet cotton, 1 ball of shaded Nile green and 1 ball of light yellow. The booklet names the cotton by brand only and gives no size. Choose a crochet cotton that works well with a steel hook No. 7.
Hook, 1953: Steel crochet hook No. 7, about 1.65 mm in today's US steel sizes. Old steel hook sizes varied from maker to maker, so treat the millimeter size as a guide.

The 1953 original

As it was printed

Suggestions for Fairs and Bazaars · Lantern Potholder, directions beginning on page 14
With Lt. Yellow ch 8, join to form a ring, ch 3 and work 19 d c in ring, join in 3rd st of ch. 2nd Round. Ch 3, d c in same space, * popcorn st in next d c (popcorn st: 5 d c in same st, drop loop from hook, insert in 1st d c, pick up loop and pull through, do not ch 1), 2 d c in next d c, repeat from * all around, ending with popcorn st in next st, join in 3rd st of ch, cut thread. 3rd Round. Attach Shaded Greens in same space, ch 3, d c in same space, * d c in next d c, d c in next popcorn st, d c in next d c, 2 d c in next d c, ch 2, 2 d c in next popcorn st, 1 d c in each of the next 2 d c, 1 d c in next popcorn st, 2 d c in next d c, ch 2, 2 d c in next d c, 1 d c in next popcorn st, 1 d c in each of the next 2 d c, 2 d c in next popcorn st, ch 2, 2 d c in next d c, repeat from * all around ending to correspond, ch 2, join. 4th Round. Ch 3, d c in same space, 1 d c in each of the next 5 d c, 2 d c in next d c, * ch 2, 2 d c in next d c, 1 d c in each of the next 5 d c, 2 d c in next d c, repeat from * all around, ch 2, join. 5th Round. Ch 3, d c in same space, ** popcorn st in next st, * d c in next st, popcorn st in next st, repeat from * twice, 2 d c in next d c, ch 2, 2 d c in next d c, repeat from ** all around ending to correspond, ch 2, join, cut thread. 6th Round. Attach Lt. Yellow in same space, ch 3, d c in same space, * d c in next d c, d c in next popcorn st, repeat from * 3 times, d c in next d c, 2 d c in next d c, ch 2, 2 d c in next d c, repeat from 1st * all around ending to correspond, ch 2, join, cut thread. Work 7 more motifs in same manner. TO JOIN MOTIFS: Place 2 motifs wrong sides together and working on right side, attach Lt. Yellow in ch 2 loop, inserting hook through both motifs, then working through back loop of sts only and through both motifs, work 1 sl st in each of the next 13 d c, 1 sl st in each of the next 2 sts of ch, 1 sl st in each of the next 13 d c, cut thread. Join 3rd motif to 2nd motif in same manner leaving 1 d c section free at top and lower edge of each motif. Join 3 more motifs together in same manner joining opposite side of 6th motif to side of 1st motif to form circle. Place a motif in top opening and crochet together with sl sts matching each d c section. Place last motif in position in lower opening and finish in same manner.

The 1953 stitch names

The booklet prints its own list of abbreviations, all in modern American terms, so nothing needs translating. Its one special stitch is spelled out in the directions:

In 1953	US today	How we know
popcorn st	5-dc popcorn	"5 d c in same st, drop loop from hook, insert in 1st d c, pick up loop and pull through, do not ch 1."

What we checked

Round 1: 20 dc in the ring.
Round 2: 20 dc and 10 popcorns, 30 stitches.
Round 3: 42 dc and 6 corners. The booklet writes three sides and repeats them. Three sides use 15 stitches, so two repeats use the 30 stitches of round 2 exactly.
Round 4: 54 dc, 9 to a side.
Round 5: 42 dc and 24 popcorns, 4 popcorns to a side.
Round 6: 78 dc, 13 to a side. This is the count the booklet prints: the joining slip stitches "in each of the next 13 d c".
The photo shows the same rings as the chart: a yellow popcorn center, a green band of popcorns and a yellow edge. It is too small to count stitches.

How we read the old wording

Round 3 is written out side by side as the booklet has it. The stitch under each dc changes from side to side, but every side comes to 7 dc.
"Attach in same space" in rounds 3 and 6 is the stitch where the round before was joined.
Round 5: "d c in next st, popcorn st in next st, repeat twice" is three pairs.
The joining of the eight hexagons and the hanging ring are given as a note. They are not part of the checked pattern.
The booklet spells it Potholder. This page uses Pot Holder.

No errors in the original. The one count it prints (13 dc to a side) checks out, and every round closes evenly.

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